Film week celebrates War Invalids and Martyrs Day

A scene from veteran director Vuong Duc’s Nha Tien Tri (The Prophet),one of 14 feature films to screen for free in cinemas during a film week to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the War Invalids and Martyrs Day.

Organised by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in co-operation with Vietnam Cinema Department and Distribution and Screening Film Company (Fafilm VN), together with local cinemas, a full schedule of Vietnamese films and documentaries will be organised.

The schedule includes 14 feature films, including Nha Tien Tri (The Prophet), Giai Phong Sai Gon (Liberating Sai Gon) and Nguoi Tro Ve (The Return of Soldiers).

Produced by state-owned film studios, these films feature revolutionaries, soldiers and post-war events.

Veteran director Vuong Duc’s Nha Tien Tri, a 120-minute biopic of President Ho Chi Minh, impressed audiences after it debuted in 2015.

Based on a screenplay by veteran author Hoang Nhuan Cam, the film is about the life of the President from 1947 to 1954 during the war against the French.

Cam’s work is based on short stories and poems written by the President, including Viet Bac Anh Dung (Brave Viet Bac) and Giac Ngu 10 Nam (Ten Years of Sleep).

The film recounts the President’s time in the Viet Bac Military Base (located in the northern provinces of Cao Bang, Bac Kan, Lang Son, Tuyen Quang and Thai Nguyen), as the country’s first president who led the Vietnamese in their struggle and fight against French colonialism.

People’s Artist Bui Bai Binh plays the role of President Ho Chi Minh.

He worked hard with three experts in French, Russian and Chinese to feature the leader, who was proficient in several foreign languages.

Nha Tien Tri was sent to the Moscow International Film Festival 2016.

Another featured film is Nguoi Tro Ve, a production about the post-war period by female director Dang Thai Huyen.

Produced by the People’s Army Film, the film won the Silver Kite prize for best feature film at the Vietnam Film Festival last year.

There will also be a series of documentaries screened, including 70 Nam Dat Nuoc Niem Tin Va Anh Sang (70 Years of the Country- Belief and Light), Bac Ho Voi Nong Dan (Uncle Ho and Farmers) and Dien Bien Phu (Dien Bien Phu Battle).

The screenings will take place from July 24 to August 19.

Director Phan Minh Son’s 70 Nam Dat Nuoc Niem Tin Va Anh Sang, a production featuring the country’s history and developments by the Giai Phong (Liberation) Film Studio, will start the event.

The opening ceremony will take place in Phu Tho province’s Culture and Film Screening Centre.

The organisers will also deliver videos and DVDs of films to people living in rural districts and neighbouring provinces.